Vancouver Fashion Week is now globally the fifth largest Fashion Week – right behind Milan – and the Spring/Summer 2016 season will take place from September 28th to October 4th. VFW will open its doors to designers, media, buyers and agents to explore and discover seven days of ready-to-wear from around the globe.

Supported by the Prime Minister of Canada and the Mayor of Vancouver, Vancouver Fashion Week is widely recognised as a global platform for both established and emerging designers, founded by producer, Jamal Abdourahman in 2001, the principal Canadian Fashion Week is lauded worldwide as the fastest growing Fashion Week and the only industry event that actively seeks to showcase international award-winning talent alongside its homegrown designers and emerging talent. VFW brings together important partnerships from around the world and its own influential local community, who along with VFW, are committed to fostering the growth of the fashion industry and celebrating the arts – exciting times right?

Sure, commercial Fashion Month is aces. In fact, twice a year it’s the absolute highlight of my calendar but looking outside of the box at smaller Fashion Weeks is exciting too and this one in particular is growing at a rapid pace. With SS16 on the horizon there’s a real industry buzz about what to expect from Canada’s homegrown talent this VFW, known as an incubator for international innovation and talent, SS16 will be VFW’s 26th season and they’re some pretty great credentials.

This season, VFW has partnered with The Metro Show, a platform that has over 130 apparel and footwear agencies and retail-related businesses. (The Metro Show is a Canadian Association of Wholesale Sales Representatives affiliated show)

Known internationally as the ‘Gateway to Global Fashion,’ Vancouver Fashion Week, held in the capital of Canada’s most creative and international province, is a true gateway to Asian markets. It’s a Fashion Week that gets the buyers in a tizzy and relatively commercially unspoiled, it’s one which allows show-goers to concentrate on the garments. The platform is charged with supporting innovative, cutting edge talent from around the world and the stage has been shared with some of the heavyweights. Versace, Anna Sui and Roca Wear have appeared on VFW’s catwalks alongside edited selections of mature to developing designers.

So, if you’re streaming, social media stalking, reading my posts (obvs.) or even lucky enough to be attending Fashion Month, then don’t forget about Vancouver Fashion Week. it may be small, but it’s definitely mighty and while all eyes will be on Paris and the major players, make sure you check out Persicope for updates on VFW too – you can thank me later….